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JURISDICTION: NEW YORK

This template applies to New York State courts (Supreme, Family, Appellate Division) governed by CPLR, DRL, FCA, and 22 NYCRR.

ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMPLAINT

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I. COMPLAINANT INFORMATION

Name: {{Your Name}} Relationship to Attorney: {{Client / Opposing Party / Other}} Case/Matter: {{Caption}}, Index No. {{Number}}, {{Court}}

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II. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Name: {{Attorney Full Name}}, Esq. Firm: {{Law Firm Name (if applicable)}} Address: {{Office Address}} Phone: {{Phone}} Email: {{Email}} Bar Admission: {{State}}, {{Year}}

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III. NATURE OF COMPLAINT

This complaint alleges violations of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200) by the above-named attorney.

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IV. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

A. Attorney-Client Relationship (if applicable)

{{If you were/are client: "Attorney {{Name}} was {{retained / assigned}} to represent me in {{matter}} on {{date}}. [Describe scope of representation, fee arrangement if relevant, etc.]"}}

{{If you are opposing party: "Attorney {{Name}} represents {{party}} in {{matter}}. I am {{role}} in this proceeding."}}

B. Relevant Facts

{{Chronological narrative of events leading to complaint. Be specific about dates, communications, actions taken or not taken.}}

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V. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT VIOLATED

The complained-of conduct violates the following provisions of the NY Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200):

Rule 1.1 - Competence

Rule: "A lawyer should provide competent representation to a client. Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe incompetent representation: failure to research law, missed deadlines, inadequate preparation}}

Rule 1.2 - Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority

Rule: "A lawyer shall abide by a client's decisions concerning the objectives of representation..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe failure to follow client instructions, acting without authority}}

Rule 1.3 - Diligence

Rule: "A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe lack of diligence: failure to appear, missed deadlines, neglect of case}}

Rule 1.4 - Communication

Rule: "A lawyer shall... (2) reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client's objectives are to be accomplished; (3) keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe failure to communicate, unreturned calls/emails, no status updates}}

Rule 1.5 - Fees

Rule: "A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe excessive fees, fee disputes, failure to provide retainer agreement}}

Rule 3.3 - Candor Toward the Tribunal

Rule: "A lawyer shall not knowingly: (1) make a false statement of fact or law to a tribunal..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe misrepresentations to court, failure to disclose adverse authority}}

Rule 3.4 - Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel

Rule: "A lawyer shall not: (a) unlawfully obstruct another party's access to evidence..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe discovery abuse, destruction of evidence, harassment}}

Rule 8.4 - Misconduct

Rule: "A lawyer... shall not: (a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct... (c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation..."

Violation: {{If applicable - describe dishonesty, fraud, other misconduct}}

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VI. SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF MISCONDUCT

[For each violation, provide detailed factual support]

Instance 1: {{Description}}

Date: {{Date}}

Facts: {{What attorney did or failed to do. Be specific. Include documentation if available.}}

Rule Violated: {{Specific RPC provision}}

Harm Caused: {{How this affected you, the case, or the legal system}}

Supporting Documentation: {{Exhibit reference}}

Instance 2: {{Description}}

[Repeat format]

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VII. EFFORTS TO RESOLVE

Prior to this complaint, I made the following efforts to resolve the matter:

Date	Action	Result
{{Date}}	{{Contacted attorney directly / Sent letter / etc.}}	{{No response / Inadequate response}}
{{Date}}	{{Follow-up communication}}	{{Result}}
{{Date}}	{{Request for attorney to withdraw / etc.}}	{{Result}}

These efforts have been unsuccessful.

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VIII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Attached as exhibits:

Exhibit A: {{Retainer agreement / Fee agreement (if applicable)}} Exhibit B: {{Correspondence with attorney (emails, letters)}} Exhibit C: {{Court filings / Orders showing misconduct}} Exhibit D: {{Timeline of communications}} Exhibit E: {{Financial records (if fee dispute)}} Exhibit F: {{Other relevant documents}}

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IX. IMPACT

The complained-of conduct has caused the following harm:

1. {{Harm to client interests - e.g., "Lost case due to attorney's failure to appear at hearing"}}
2. {{Financial harm - e.g., "Paid fees for work not performed"}}
3. {{Procedural harm - e.g., "Missed statute of limitations"}}
4. {{Reputational harm - e.g., "Subjected to sanctions due to attorney's misconduct"}}
5. {{Harm to legal system - e.g., "Misrepresentations undermined integrity of proceedings"}}

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X. RELIEF REQUESTED

I respectfully request that the Grievance Committee:

1. Investigate the complained-of conduct;
2. Take appropriate disciplinary action, which may include:
   • Private admonition
   • Public censure
   • Suspension from practice
   • Disbarment
3. {{If client: "Order restitution of fees paid for services not rendered"}}
4. Provide written notification of the Committee's determination.

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XI. VERIFICATION

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

I understand that filing a false or frivolous complaint may subject me to sanctions.

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{{Your Signature}} {{Your Name}}

Dated: {{Date}}

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AUTHORITIES

Attorney Discipline:

• 22 NYCRR Part 1240 (Procedures for Attorneys in Disciplinary Matters)
• Judiciary Law §90 (Attorney discipline)

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• 22 NYCRR Part 1200 (entire)
• Rule 1.1 (Competence)
• Rule 1.2 (Scope of Representation)
• Rule 1.3 (Diligence)
• Rule 1.4 (Communication)
• Rule 1.5 (Fees)
• Rule 3.3 (Candor to Tribunal)
• Rule 3.4 (Fairness)
• Rule 8.4 (Misconduct)

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GRIEVANCE COMMITTEES BY DEPARTMENT

First Department (Manhattan, Bronx): Departmental Disciplinary Committee 61 Broadway, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10006 (212) 401-0800

Second Department (Brooklyn, Queens, SI, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, etc.): Attorney Grievance Committee Renaissance Plaza 335 Adams Street, Suite 2400 Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 923-6300

Third Department (Albany, upstate): Attorney Grievance Committee O'Brien Building 40 Beaver Street, Suite 202 Albany, NY 12207 (518) 474-8816

Fourth Department (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse): Attorney Grievance Committee 1036 Ellicott Square Building 295 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 845-3630

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STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

When to File:

• Serious misconduct (not mere disagreement with strategy)
• Exhausted attempts to resolve directly
• Pattern of behavior (not isolated error)
• Violation clearly established

Timing:

• During representation: May affect ongoing case; attorney may withdraw
• After case concludes: Safer but less immediate remedy
• Statute of limitations considerations

Consequences:

• Investigation may take months or years
• Attorney will be notified and given opportunity to respond
• If you are/were client, may affect attorney-client relationship
• May result in disciplinary action ranging from admonition to disbarment

Alternatives:

• Fee dispute arbitration (if fee-related)
• Legal malpractice suit (for damages)
• Motion to disqualify attorney (if conflict)
• Request new assigned counsel (if applicable)

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Submission: Mail to appropriate Grievance Committee (see addresses above). Retain copies of complaint and all exhibits. Committee has broad discretion in investigation and disposition. Complaints are confidential until formal charges filed.